Goodwin plays on at Glamorgan

Glamorgan have signed Murray Goodwin on a one-year contract. Goodwin, the former Zimbabwe batsman, was released by Sussex at the end of the 2012 season after a distinguished 12-year stint at the club in which he scored more than 24,000 runs in all competitions and was a vital component of a side that won seven trophies.

While the addition of a player who will be 40 in December might have debatable merit at first glance, Glamorgan have expressed hopes that Goodwin's experience and example will enhance the development of the club's younger batsmen.

The club point to his excellent record at Sussex - where he averaged 49.23 in first-class cricket - although there may be some misgivings that he averaged just 16.36 in Championship cricket in 2012, only passing 50 twice in 23 innings, and that he also passed 50 just once in List A cricket, averaging 26.14. The player himself blamed the disruption caused by a wet summer.

"We're delighted to sign Murray Goodwin as he will strengthen the batting line-up and has plenty to offer to benefit our batting group," said Matthew Mott, Glamorgan's head of elite performance. "Murray has played the best part of his career at Sussex and had a massive affect on Sussex cricket, so we can't wait to have him in the squad.

"He is a really good role model with plenty of first division experience and it is evident from our recent discussions that he still has a real determination to succeed. These are characteristics that we are looking to develop within our squad."

Goodwin, who made it clear during Sussex's send-off in September that he had no wish to to enter retirement, said: "I am really pleased to be continuing my cricket career with Glamorgan and look forward to joining up with the players and staff. I have had lengthy conversations with Matthew Mott and am aware of the challenges the team faced last year and the hard work that lies ahead of us, but I am determined to help bring success back to the club. I feel I still have a lot to offer in all formats of the game."

He hit two triple centuries for Sussex and holds the record for the county's highest innings, a score of 344 not out against Somerset in 2009. In total Goodwin has scored 67 centuries in first-class cricket. Originally from Harare, Goodwin has also spent a number of years in Australia, where he began his first-class career with Western Australia. His Test career ended after the England tour of 2000 and despite playing just 19 Tests, his record placed him in the upper echelons of Zimbabwe cricket history.

Glamorgan have also renewed contracts with John Glover, Huw Waters, Andrew Salter, Mike Reed, Stewart Walters and Ben Wright, while they have confirmed that Australia bowler Michael Hogan will be joining the club for the start of season 2013.

Hogan originally planned to arrive in July to play the last two months of the 2012 season, but stayed on to see out the final year of his contract with Western Australia at which point he indicated he would retire from Australian first-class cricket.

Good signing for Glamorgan. Goodwin is a class act, it won't surprise me at all to see him have a good season in 2013, last year was clearly an anomaly. Still fit and hungry, those are two very important ingredients. A friendly man off the field with the fans too. I like him, and wish him all the best.

POSTED BY
CricketMaan
on | October 18, 2012, 13:41 GMT

They shoudl also check with Sanath Jaysuriya and Sourav Ganguly who also have a lot to offer in their 40s

POSTED BY
njr1330
on | October 18, 2012, 15:15 GMT

...........Class is eternal !!

POSTED BY
InsideHedge
on | October 18, 2012, 15:01 GMT

Good signing for Glamorgan. Goodwin is a class act, it won't surprise me at all to see him have a good season in 2013, last year was clearly an anomaly. Still fit and hungry, those are two very important ingredients. A friendly man off the field with the fans too. I like him, and wish him all the best.

POSTED BY
CricketMaan
on | October 18, 2012, 13:41 GMT

They shoudl also check with Sanath Jaysuriya and Sourav Ganguly who also have a lot to offer in their 40s

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POSTED BY
CricketMaan
on | October 18, 2012, 13:41 GMT

They shoudl also check with Sanath Jaysuriya and Sourav Ganguly who also have a lot to offer in their 40s

POSTED BY
InsideHedge
on | October 18, 2012, 15:01 GMT

Good signing for Glamorgan. Goodwin is a class act, it won't surprise me at all to see him have a good season in 2013, last year was clearly an anomaly. Still fit and hungry, those are two very important ingredients. A friendly man off the field with the fans too. I like him, and wish him all the best.